The Best 3 Quart Slow Cooker To Buy Right Now

There are several 3-quart slow cookers available that can meet your needs; we've compiled a list of our favorites below.

1. Elite Gourmet MST-350B# Electric Oval Slow Cooker

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Pros:

• Attractive stainless steel finish
• Clear tempered glass lid
• Cool-touch knob and handles
• Adjustable settings

Cons: 

• No cooking light

2. Hamilton Beach 3-Quart Slow Cooker 33231

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Pros:

• Great cooking performance
• User-friendly controls 
• Dishwasher safe lid
• Excellent manual
• Affordable

Cons:

• Manual keep warm

3. Crock-Pot 3-Quart Round Manual Slow Cooker

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Pros:

• Easy storage
• Adjustable timer
• Convenient keep warm function
• Removable stoneware 

Cons:

• Overheating

4. Elite Gourmet MST-350B Electric Oval Slow Cooker

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Pros:

• Pristine appearance
• Full view glass lid with metal rim
• Cooks evenly and reliably
• Easy to lift, carry and wash

Cons:

• The lid does not seal properly

5. Hamilton Beach 3 Quart Slow Cooker

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Pros:

• Tight gasket lid
• Great for browning
• Digital timer
• Brushed stainless steel exterior

Cons: 

• Shutting off too early

6. Better Chef Oval Slow Cooker 3-Quart

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Pros:

• Removable assembly
• Stainless steel strainer
• Heavy duty motor
• Rubberized aluminum press handle

Cons:

• Hand wash only

7. Brentwood Appliances SC-135W 3-Quart Slow Cooker

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Pros:

• Removable ceramic pot
• Tempered glass lid
• Stay cool handles
• Dishwasher safe parts

Cons:

• Lid does not fit

Choosing the best slow cooker for you might be challenging because many different models are available. Here are some queries that you might want to think about.

Indicator light

Although it may seem simple, an indicator light will immediately let you know if your gadget is on and operating. Particularly with the most basic models, not every model has one. 

Space

A slow cooker takes up room on the work surface and in the cabinet. The oval shape can be more versatile but takes up more space, and the round and tall one has a smaller footprint.

Keep warm

The purpose of this helpful setting is to keep your meal warm once cooking is complete. 

On most slow cookers, this is typically a setting you choose manually, although some more high-end versions feature a choice to switch to the keep-warm setting automatically.

Timer

Built-in timers are useful, although they are typically only present in more expensive devices with smart features. 

They are perfect if you will be away from the cookers for longer than the recipe calls for.

Pot material

Pots made of ceramic or stoneware typically weigh more than aluminum. 

Choose an aluminum pot if moving heavy pots is a hassle for you. These can occasionally be coated with a non-stick surface to simplify cleanup. 

Auto cook

When a machine is set to cook automatically, it starts on higher voltage before reducing to lower for the duration of the cooking process. 

Some even automatically transition for you to "stay warm" mode after cooking. You do not have to pay much more to gain this beneficial addition because auto cook options are available on mid-range models.

1. How many does a 3-quart slow cooker serve?

A 3 to 4-quart slow cooker can cook meals for two or three people. Remember that whether you want leftovers or not will influence whether you choose a dish that is on the small or large side.

2. Do slow cookers use a lot of electricity?

Despite taking longer to finish a meal, they use less power than certain electric ovens—as low as 200 watts, or fewer than a tenth of that. 

Just 1.3 kWh are needed to cook one dinner in an average-sized slow cooker.

3. Is a 3-quart slow cooker big enough?

With a capacity of 1.5 to 3.5 liters, you'll have more than enough space for parts of a typical dinner. Additionally, a smaller version will fit inside your kitchen more easily.

4. Can you half-fill a slow cooker?

Avoid overfilling your slow cooker to prevent leaks and incomplete food cooking. Ideal fill levels range from half to two-thirds but never higher than three-quarters.

5. Can I put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes, you could use a slow cooker with raw chicken. Slow cooking is safe because of the inner pot's direct heat, a long cooking time, and steam produced by a firmly sealed container. 

After carefully researching, we found the Elite Gourmet MST-350B# Electric Oval Slow Cooker and Hamilton Beach 3 Quart Slow Cooker to be the top option. 

Hopefully, this review and buying guide should help you choose the best 3 quart slow cooker that will suit your needs.